Mayor Brandon Johnson unveiled a new plan to improve public safety through actions taken to invest in underserved neighborhoods and to provide outreach to people living in those areas who are at risk of becoming violence victims. Additionally, the Cook County Board of Commissioners approved a new paid leave law that affects county employers.

The City Council meets for a regular meeting on Dec. 13, 2023. [Michael McDevitt/The Daily Line]

The City Council approved the majority of a new contract between the city and its police union Wednesday but declined to approve a portion of the contract that would have allowed officers facing serious disciplinary actions the ability to have their fates determined in private meetings, potentially setting up an eventual court battle.

Ald. Anthony Beale (9) is pictured during a meeting in October 2023. [Don Vincent/The Daily Line]

The City Council will hold a special meeting Thursday to again consider a measure to add a referendum question to the March 2024 ballot that would change the city’s status as a sanctuary city for immigrants. 

Ald. Bennett Lawson (44), vice chair of the city's zoning committee, presides over a meeting on Tuesday. [Livestream]

The Committee on Zoning, Landmarks and Building Standards approved a measure that will allow the city’s restaurants and taprooms located in the industrial parts of the West Loop, for instance, to operate outdoor patios.

The measure will be considered by the City Council on Dec. 13.

Kyle Cooper, bottom right, answers questions from the Committee on Police and Fire Tuesday. [Livestream]

The City Council Committee on Police and Fire approved the appointment (A2023-0005945) of Kyle Cooper to the Police Board Tuesday but not before several alderpeople grilled him about his views on policing. Alds. Felix Cardona (31) and Greg Mitchell (7) voted against the appointment. 

The police and fire committee meeting was originally scheduled for Dec. 4, but the body failed to meet a quorum. Though the committee was scheduled to consider other items last week, such as raising the maximum employment age for police officers and firefighters and the commissioning of a workforce allocation study, the committee did not take those items up.

The City Council is pictured during a meeting in September 2023. [Don Vincent/The Daily Line]

The City Council will meet at 10 a.m. Wednesday and consider changes to the city’s recently passed paid leave ordinance, final approval of an overhaul to the hate crimes ordinance, approval of a lease amendment to help the Department of Environment and civilian police oversight board secure office space, and the city’s new contract with the Fraternal Order of Police. 

Additionally, the council will consider a “do not pass” recommendation on an option to have serious police disciplinary cases decided via arbitration and will again consider a $2 million legal settlement agreement over a 2014 police shooting.

Ald. Matt Martin (47), top right, speaks to law department officials during a finance committee meeting Monday. [Livestream] 

The City Council Committee on Finance on Monday recommended the City Council approve the payment of millions of dollars to settle three lawsuits — most of the money recommended to be paid out would settle lawsuits related to police shootings. 

Additionally, the city ethics committee approved new rules regulating registered lobbyists.

The Chicago Police Department emblem is pictured on the public safety headquarters building in this file photo. [Don Vincent/The Daily Line]

The City Council’s police and fire committee will consider a measure raising the retirement age for police officers and firefighters, and the zoning committee will consider changes to allow outdoor patios for certain bars and restaurants in manufacturing zoning districts.

Ald. Debra Silverstein (50) speaks about the Chicago v.s. Hate Ordinance during a public safety committee meeting on Dec. 8, 2023. [Livestream]

The City Council Committee on Public Safety approved an overhaul of the city’s hate crimes ordinance Friday, a measure minority group advocates called a necessary response to recent trends.

The City Council is pictured during a meeting in September 2023. [Don Vincent/The Daily Line]

The City Council Committee on Finance will meet Monday and consider approving millions of dollars paid out to settle lawsuits. The ethics committee will also meet and consider a litany of code changes regarding the registration of lobbyists.

New rules governing public comment and attendance at City Council meetings were published online Friday. Also, the city’s budget committee approved a redevelopment agreement to construct artist space at an old school building in South Shore.

The city’s workforce committee, finally, approved several changes to the recently passed paid leave ordinance.

The Chicago Police emblem is pictured at the Public Safety Headquarters in this file photo.

A City Council panel swiftly advanced a new collective bargaining agreement with the union that represents the city’s rank-and-file police officers Thursday. 

But alderpeople on the panel recommended against passage of a separately considered component of the new agreement that would give officers facing serious discipline the option to have their fates decided by private arbitration.

Alderpeople on the city’s immigrant and refugee rights committee voted to support a resolution calling for legal status for millions of undocumented immigrants, and the county and city have announced a deadline by which residents can apply for relief from severe weather from this past fall.

Mayor Brandon Johnson presides over a November 2023 City Council meeting where alderpeople voted on his 2024 budget. [Don Vincent/The Daily Line]

Three Chicago alderpeople are calling for numerous resignations for the city officials involved in handling the ongoing migrant crisis after a plan to build a migrant encampment in Brighton Park was put on hold. But the mayor’s office said it was not taking the request seriously and asked for good faith collaboration with any official serious about addressing the humanitarian crisis.

On Tuesday, the state halted construction of a migrant tent encampment at the site, located at 38th and California, after the release of a lengthy environmental report showing the presence of mercury and other contaminants in the soil. 

Related: State puts an end to Brighton Park migrants tent camp saga after reviewing environmental study

Ald. Debra Silverstein (50) introduces a measure that updates the city's hate crimes ordinance during a news conference Sept. 14, 2023. [Don Vincent/The Daily Line]

Alderpeople on Friday will meet to consider legislation that overhauls the city’s hate crimes ordinance and a redevelopment and grant agreement to transform an old school into a collaborative workspace for artists.